The miracle of conversion

Introduction

If you are a Christian it is because a miracle has taken place in your life.

Whenever a person comes to a true understanding of who Jesus is and they put their trust in him a miracle has taken place.

This is exactly what we see in our passage happening to Peter.

It is difficult to trace the exact moment of Peter’s conversion. But when you study this passage it seems this moment could be it.

We know Peter had already met the Lord Jesus- John 1:40-43, He also witnessed the miracle at the wedding of Cana John 2- it says in that passage that after the disciples saw it they believed.

Yet from our passage we see for Peter it must have been an incomplete faith.

At the beginning of the passage we see Peter respects Jesus but there is a reluctance to obey, however, at the end there is total obedience and submission to Jesus as Lord. The thing that made the difference was the miracle in the middle.

To emphasis this Luke structures this passage in a chiasm

A- v.2-3/v.11 B- v.4/v.10 C- v.5/v.8 D- v.6-7

I. Before v.1-5

Explain narrative

a) Not following v.2-3

Went back to fishing.

b) reluctant to obey v.5

a carpenter telling a fisherman who to fish

c) respect not devotion v.5

App-

Do you respect Jesus but no more?

Is there a reluctancy to obey him?

II. The miracle v.4-7

Retell narrative

It is a sign- signs point

a) demonstrated his divinity

omnipotence- his power to save

- demonstrates he is the divine Saviour, the God man.

b) demonstrated his provision- his love, and ability to provide for his people.

c) Inward miracle in Peter

Acts 16:14- Lydia

John 6:44-45- taught by God

App-

Do you trust Jesus, knowing he is omnipotent and able to provide?

Do you believe Jesus to be what this miracle proves about him?

Has this inward miracle happened to you?

III. After v.8-11

a) humbled sinner v.8

In the presence of the Holy One-

Isa 6, Rev 1

b) devotion

Lord- at his knees

c) discipleship

Jesus call-

catch them alive

This call comes to every disciple- Matthew 10

Peter’s obedience

App-

Have you come to recognise your sinfulness before a holy God?

Do you give Christ the devotion he deserves?

Have you obeyed the call of Christ to leave all and follow him?

Conclusion

The miracle of conversion

Before/ After

Has this happened to you?

Preach Christ- Come to me

If you are a Christian does your life look like before or after?

Have you taken up your cross and are you following Jesus?